From ‘meh’ to meaningful: How escape games transform corporate training
There's pressure, collaboration, problem-solving, and laughter — all the ingredients of great learning.
The first time I experienced an escape room, I was hooked. My friends and I were racing the clock in an Indiana Jones-themed adventure, trying to solve the final puzzle, when the walls started to close in. Literally! Of course, we weren’t in danger of being crushed (it turns out that flattening your customers is not a good business strategy). But the sense of urgency had us thinking faster, collaborating harder, and celebrating big when we escaped with seconds to spare.
JEANNIE Z. TAYLOR
LEARNING DESIGN ALCHEMY
Escape games are more than a novelty. They’re high-engagement learning tools that connect thoughtful practice with strategic outcomes.
That’s the power of escape games: pressure, collaboration, problem-solving, and laughter. All the ingredients of great learning. So when a client requested an escape game for their upcoming leadership academy, I knew we were in for an adventure.
The result? The Wild West-themed HR escape room quickly became their top-rated training program and won a Gold Brandon Hall Group Excellence Award for Best Use of Games or Simulations for Learning. More importantly, participants left energized, engaged, and ready to put their new skills into action.
Why escape games work
Escape games are more than a novelty. They’re high-engagement learning tools that connect thoughtful practice with strategic outcomes. Research backs this up: Harvard Business Review found that well-designed gamified training that includes challenges, progression, and feedback can significantly improve employee performance.
At their core, escape games provide:
- High engagement. Learners lean in, collaborate, and bring energy that’s hard to match with slides or lectures.
- Real-world practice. When designed around scenarios, escape games create safe spaces to try, fail, and adjust. This is exactly what adults need to build skill.
- Built-in motivation. The challenge of “beating the clock” or unlocking the next clue naturally drives focus and persistence.
Karl Kapp, a leading voice on gamification, reminds us that game mechanics work best when they serve learning goals. In other words, the puzzles are just the wrapper. The learning objectives are the substance. Done well and with purpose, escape games keep learners excited about the content, not just the clues.
Tips for designing with purpose
- Start with objectives. Before deciding on an escape game, ensure that it will produce the specific learning outcomes you’re looking for. Escape games work best when tied to problem solving, decision-making, teamwork, and other skills that benefit from practice under pressure.
- Develop a clear story and theme. Create an overarching story where each clue logically leads to the next. And make sure your theme fits the objectives and company culture. For example, a Sherlock Holmes mystery could work well for ethics or compliance, while a survival adventure can strengthen collaboration and resilience.
- Blend in facilitation. For skill-based content, pair teams with an expert who can guide practice and provide feedback. In our Wild West-themed program, an in-room HR specialist took on the role of “sheriff” to provide guidance, debrief activities, and keep the group on time.
- Keep it simple. The goal isn’t to stump learners. It’s to let the content shine through an engaging format. Test your puzzles to make sure they hit the sweet spot: they should be challenging enough to spark critical thinking, but solvable in the time allowed.
The golden nugget
Escape games aren’t just fun. They’re functional. With clear objectives, they transform traditional training into experiences learners actually remember and apply. That’s how you take training from “meh” to meaningful.
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